Former champions' fall from grace is complete

FORMER Italian champions Fiorentina have been refused a place in Serie B for next season and are facing bankruptcy.

Italian Football League president Adriano Galliani said the only chance the city of Florence has of maintaining a presence in professional football is if a new club is formed and is granted a place in the third or fourth division.

"The old Fiorentina doesn't exist anymore and it is vital that a new club is born to represent Florence," he said.